Students turn tables on Latham

25 NOVEMBER 2003

Shadow Treasurer and tough talker Mark Latham faces hard questions himself tomorrow when students quiz him on tax breaks for upper-income Australians and mortgage subsidies for lower-income Australians during a National Museum of Australia Talkback Classroom session.

This last Talkback Classroom for 2003 is at Parliament House, and in front of a live student audience the three interviewers will also seek Mr Latham's views on what is appropriate parliamentary behaviour.

The final Talkback Classroom interview of the year takes place in the Theatrette at Parliament House at 11.30am, Wednesday, 26 November.

The nationally drawn panel of students are: Natalie Webber, in Year 11 at St Paul's Anglican Grammar School, Warragul, Victoria; Genevieve Lewis, in Year 11 at St Peter's Collegiate Girls School, Adelaide and Alex Rasalowicz, in Year 12 at Unley High School, Adelaide.

They'll also quiz Mr Latham on refugee policy and education, including what he thinks about corporal punishment in schools.

Talkback Classroom gives students access to key politicians and public figures as part of the national civics curriculum.

Student preparation for the interview includes meetings with ministerial advisers, parliamentarians, visiting experts and other members of the media, organised by the Parliamentary Education Office.

Schools are encouraged to use Talkback Classroom as a model for social inquiry, investigating topical issues through the media.